Cooking range



July 14, 1942. L SMALLEN 2,289,523

COOKING RANGE Filed Dec. 21, 1940 2 SheetsSheet l Patented, July 14, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Louis I. Smallen, Los Angeles, Calif. Application December 21, 1940, Serial No. 371,063

11 Claims. (01. 126-214) This invention relates to stoves or cooking ranges and relates more particularly to cooking ranges of the console type. A general object of this invention is to provide a cooking range of the class referred to embodying a novel and very advantageous cover or top structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cooking range embodying a hinged and foldable cover or top adapted to conceal and protect the top burners, griddle, etc. when the latter are not in use and adapted to form an effective shelf for pans, pots, etc. when raised to expose the burners, griddle, etc. for use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cooking range construction of the character'referred to in which the top may be easily and quickly shifted from the closed position to the position where it constitutes a shelf at the rear of the range and, if desired, may be quickly folded into a compact unit which lies against the rear guard rail of the range.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cooking range construction of the character referred to embodying effective means for dependably supporting the cover or top in the position where it forms a shelf, which means is readily releasedwhen the top is to be lowered to the closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cooking range of the character mentioned in which the members for supporting the top in the position where it constitutes a shelf may be employed as towel racks or towel bars.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cooking range structure of the character mentioned in which the cover or top may be simple in construction and neat in appearance and the supporting means" for holding the top raised where it forms a shelf does not detract from the appearance of the range or interfere with its normal operation or use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cooking range of the character referred to having provision for the escape of steam, cooking vapors, etc. from under the above mentioned shelf and for admitting light below the shelf.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cooking range provided by this invention shelf. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the range showing the top in full lines in the position where it forms a shelf, with broken lines illustrating the lowered position of the top. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 33 on Fig. 2 illustrating the pivotal mounting for one of the supporting members.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front view of another form of range of the invention showing the top raised to form a shelf. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the range illustrated in Fig. 5 with broken lines illustrating the fully lowered position of the top. Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional yiew taken as indicated by line 1-1 on Fig. 5 and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation of the under side of thet top embodied in the range illustrated in Fig. 5 with the top in the fully extended down position and showing one of the supporting members retracted.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawingsmay be said to comprise, generally, a range body It pro-.

I vided with top burners II and other elements design and construction without departing from common to ranges of this class, a rear guard rail 12 on the body It, a sectional retractible top l3 for covering the burners II and the upper surface of the body It, and means It for supporting the top It in a raised position where it forms a convenient shelf.

The range body Ill may be varied greatly in the invention. In the drawings I have illustrated a more or less conventional range body ill of the console type. The body iii is generally square or rectangular having generally flat vertical side, front and rear surfaces and having a generally horizontal upper surface. The top burners ll of the range are arranged at the top or upper side of the body Ill and a griddle I5 is arranged adjacent the burners H. Valve handles it accessible at the front of the body Ill control the bumers II and griddle l5 and the burners of the oven and grill. The front of the range body It has suitable doors ll for the oven, grill, storage compartments, etc.

The guard rail I2 is not essential in every application of the invention but is usually preferred. The guard rail l2 projects upwardly along the rear upper corner of the range body It to be disposed behind the top burners ll showing the topraised and supported to form a and griddle I5. the construction illustrated he guard rail l2 extends between the opposite sides of the range body I8 and presents a fiat generally vertical forward face. It is often desirable to provide a lamp or lamps on the guard rail l2. In the particular case illustrated there is a single lamp i8 supported by a substantially central post I8 projecting upwardly from the guard rail |2. In accordance with the usual practice the lamp I8 is formed and positioned to direct the light downwardly and toward the upper surface of the range. The post I8 is preferably of substantial height to space the lamp I8 a considerable distance above the range body.

The cover or top I3 is provided to extend over the upper surface of the range body l8 to conceal and protect the burners H, the griddle l5 and other fixtures on the upper side of the range and in accordance with the invention may be raised to form a convenient and effective shelf for pans, cooking utensils, etc. or may be folded back to lie substantially flat against the guard rail l2. The top l3 may be shaped and proportioned to fully cover the upper side of the range body l8 and in the case illustrated, the top I3 is rectangular. In accordance with the invention the top I3 is a sectional structure being divided longitudinally into a front section 28 and a rear section 2|. The sections 28 and 2| may be of substantially the same size or width although they may beof different widths if desired. The top sections 28 and 2| are generally flat and are preferably provided with down turned marginal rims 22 which have inturned flanges 23. The rims 22 and flanges 23 give the top sections 28 and 2| greater rigidity and give the sections the appearance of greater thickness. If desired, moldings 24 may be provided at the under sides of the top sections 28 and 2| to extend between the flanges 23 and the under surfaces of the sections.

Hinges 25 attach orsecure the rear edge of the section 2| to the range body l8. The hinges 25 may be secured to the rear rim 22 of the section 2| and may be mounted on the body l8 at the base of the guard rail I2. The top sections 28 and 2| are connected for relative swinging movement or pivotal movement. Hinges 26 arranged at the inner or under side of the top assembly connect the rear edge part of the section 28 to the forward edge .part of the section 2|. The cheeks of the hinges 26 may be fixed to the adjacent flanges 23 of the sections 28 and 2|. The hinges 25 allow the rear top section 2| to be raised from its generally horizontal closed position to a substantially vertical position against or adjacent the face of the guard rail i2 and the hinges 26 allow the front top section 28 to be pivoted or hinged with respect to the section 2| to lie in a generally horizontal plane at the upper edge of the raised section 2|, as illustrated in full lines throughout the drawings, and to be folded back to a generally vertical position against the inner side of the section 2| when the latter is raised to its vertical position. The hinges 25 and 26 are such that the top sections 28 and 2| may be readily swung or moved between their closed and raised positions. There is preferably a plurality of spaced hinges 26 which leave gaps or spaces 21 between the adjacent edges of the sections 28 and 2| when the sections are in the positions illustrated in full lines in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. These spaces 21 permit the escape of steam, cooking vapors, etc. from under the section 28 and allow light from the lamp l8 to reach the upper side of the range body. It will be observed that the top sections 28 and 2| do not interfree with the lamp l8 when moved between their closed and raised positions and that the lamp i8 is spaced above the shelf afforded by the raised section 28. It is preferred to provide legs .or bumpers 28' of rubber, or the like, on the forward edge flange 23 of the section 28 to prevent direct contact between the cover sections and the range body which might inJure the finish.

The means I4 is provided to hold or support the top sections 28 and 2| in the positions illustrated in full lines in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 where the section 28 forms an effective shelf. The means I! is readily manipulated or adjusted to support the shelf and top section 28 in its raised position and is easily retracted to an idle position when the cover or top is lowered. In the preferred construction the means ll comprises a prop member or support member 28 for each end of the top section 28. The support members 28 are alike or complementary and in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the members are carried by the range body II.

The props or support members 28 may be elongate rod-like parts and are pivotally mounted on the body |8to swing between lowered positions and raised active positions where they hold the section 28 in its elevated shelf position. The forward ends of the support members 28 are pivotally secured to the forward upper corners of the range body I8. Bearings 29 are provided on the upper comer portions of the range body sides to pivotally support the members 28. The lower parts of the members 28 are bent or turned inwardly and are provided with reduced stem portions 38 which are turnably received in the bearings 29. The bearings 29 have flanges 3| engaged against the outer faces of the range body sides and the bearings extend inwardly through openings 32 in the range sides. Washers 33 are engaged on the bearings 29 to cooperate with the inner surfaces of the range body sides and nuts 34 are threaded on the bearings 29 to clamp against the washers 38 and thus fix the hearings in place. The inner ends of the bearings 29 may be recessed to receive washers 35 and keys 36 on the stem portions 38 of the support members 28. The pins or keys 36 hold the members 28 against loss or displacement from the bearings 29 while allowing free pivotal movement of the members.

When the prop or support members 28 are not employed to hold the top section 28 raised where it forms a shelf they may be supported to form towel racks or towel holders at the sides of the range body i8. Suitable brackets 31 are secured to the sides of the body I8 adjacent their rear edges to receive and support the outer or rear ends of the members 28 when the members are in their lowered positions. The brackets 31 are notched or grooved at their upper sides to receive and retain the support members 28. The upper or outer end portions 38 of the prop members 28 are offset inwardly or laterally toward the center of the range body i8. These offset end portions 38 are adapted to be engaged in the brackets 31 to support the members 28 in generally horizontal positions and in spaced relation to the adjacent faces of the range body l8. With the members 28 in such positions towels, etc. may be readily arranged or draped over them. The offset end portions 38 of the members 28 are formed or shaped to cooperate with constitutes an effective utility shelf.

the top section 28 to support the same in its raised shelf" position. Reducedpins 88 may be formed on the ends of the portions 88 and these pins may be entered in openin s 48 in the forward comer parts of the section 28. In practice, the openings 48 may be formed in the flanges 28. As best illustrated in Fig. 4 ofthe drawthe members 28 are maintained in supporting cooperation with the top section 28 to retain the section in its raised horizontal position where it With the parts formed and related as illustrated the support members 28 slope upwardly and rearwardly when they support the section 28 in its raised horizontal position. It will be understood how the shoulders at the bases of the reduced pins 88 cooperate with the flanges 28 to maintain the section 28 in its raised horizontal position and how the pins 88 engaged in the openings 48 retain the support members 28 in their raised supporting positions. The hinges 28 serve to support the rear edge portions of the section 28 on the raised top section 24 while the members 28 serve to support the forward edge portions of the section 28.

It is believed that the operation of the cooking range structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, in-

clusive, will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. When the top burners II and the griddle l are not required the cover or top l8 may be lowered to its closed position where the sections 28 and 2| are hori-' zontally disposed across the .upper face of the range body l8. At this time the support members 28 may have their outer portions 88 engaged in the brackets 81 so that they extend horizontally at the sides of the range to be useful as towel holders. When it becomes necessary to port the section 28 in the raised horizontal position where it forms an effective shelf for pans and utensils. In instances where the shelf is not desired the section 28 is merely swung down to lie across the forward face of the raised section 2| so that the cover or top i8 forms a compact unit at the face of the guard rail l2. In such a case the members 28 may remain engaged in the brackets 81. In the event the section 28 has been employed as a shelf and it is desired to again lower the top l8 the section 28 is raised slightly to permit the disengagement of the pins 88 from the openings 48 and the members 88 are lowered into engagement with the brackets 81. The top sections 28 and 2| are then lowered to their closed positions.

Figs. 5 to 8. inclusive, of the drawings illustrate a form of the invention in which the prop by the range top l8. The range body lo, the guard rail l2 and the top l8 may be the same as in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and corresponding reference numeralrare applied to corresponding parts of these elements in the several figures.

The means H of Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, comprises prop or support members 48. --The members 45 are swingably or pivotally carried by the front top section 28 and are adapted to rest on or cooperate with the upper part of the range body l8 to support the section 28 in a raised generally horizontal position where it constitutes a convenient utility shelf. There is preferably a'support member 45 secured to each forward comer portion of the section 28. The support members 45 may be simple, straight rodlike parts having their upper ends formed for pivotal connection with the section 28. The support members 45' are connected with the section 28 to swing about generally horizontal axes extending substantially parallel with the adjacent forward edge of the top section 28. The means for pivotally connecting the members .45 to the section 28 may be varied considerably without departing from the invention. In the particular case illustrated this means comprises brackets 48 of inverted U-shape fixed to the under side of the section 28 to receive flattened tongues 41 on the members 45. The brackets 45 may have laterally extending flanges 48 welded or otherwise fixed to the upper side of the front flange 28 of the section 28. In this construction the above mentioned molding 24 may be eliminated as illustrated or, if used, may be recessed or cut away to receive the brackets 48 and the members 45. Pivot pins 48 are passed through openings in the U'-shaped brackets 48 and the tongues 41 to pivotally attach the members 45 to the section 28. The ends of the pivot pins 49 may be riveted over or headed up to prevent displacement of the pins. The members 45 attached to the section 28. as just described, may be swung between retracted positions where they lie against or adjacent the under side of the section 28 and projected positions where they extend downwardly to engage against the upper side of the range body l8.

In employing the structure illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, the sections 28 and 2| may normally be lowered to their closed positions where they extend across and cover the burners griddle l5, etc. When the sections 28 and 2| are in these positions the members 45 are in their retracted positions against the under side of the section 28 and do not interfere with the lowering of the top. When the top I8 is raised it may be desired to support the section 28 in the raised horizontal position where it forms a shelf. In this case the members 45 are merely swung down to substantially vertical positions so that their lower ends rest on the upper side of the range body. When thus extended the members 45 dependably retain the top section 28 in the raised shelf position illustrated in full lines in Figs. 5 and 6. When the top I8 is to be lowered the members 45 are merely swung up against the underside of the section 28 and the sections 28 and 2| are then lowered against the upper sides of the range body l8.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope means or shelf supporting means I4 is carried 7 of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a cooking range, a range body, a top hinged to the body adjacent the rear of the body and adapted to cover the upper side of the same, the top comprising two sections hinged together and movable between positions where they extend across the upper side of the body and retracted positions where they leave the upper side of the body exposed, the axes of the hinge connections between the top and the body and between the sections being parallel and folding means for holding one of the sections in a generally horizontal position where it projects forwardly from the other section to be directly over the body to form a clear readily accessible shelf when the sections are retracted.

2. In a cooking range, a range body, a folding top for extending across the upper side of the range body, the top comprising a rear section hinged to the body and a front section hinged to the rear section, and one or more supports pivoted at the ends of the body and engageable with the forward portion of the front section for holding the front section in a raised generally horizontal position directly over the range body where it is clear and accessible as a shelf when the rear section is in a vertical position.

3. In a cooking range, the combination of two structures, one a range body, the other a top for the body movable between a closed position and a raised position, the top comprising a rear section hinged to the body and a front section hinged to the rear section, and means operable when the rear section is in a vertical position for supporting the front section in a generally horizontal position projwting forwardly from the rear section to be above the body where it forms a readily accessible shelf, said means comprising a support member secured to one of said structures and movable to a position where it extends between the forward portions of the body and frontsection to hold the front section in said horizontal position.

4. In 'a cooking range, a body, a top for the body comprising a rear section whose rear edge is hinged to the body, and a front section whose rear edge is hinged to the forward part of the rear section, and a support member pivoted on the body and movable to a position where it holds the front section in a raised generally horizontal position to serve as a shelf when the rear section has been raised.

5. In a cooking range, a body, a top for the body comprising a rear section whose rear edge is hinged to the body, and a front section whose rear edge is hinged to the forwardpart of the rear section, a support member pivoted at a side of the body and movable between a generally horizontal position where it forms a towel holder and a raised position where it supports the front section in a generally horizontal elevated position alter the rear section has been raised, and means for supporting the member in its first named position.

6. In a cooking range, a body, a top for the body comprising a rear section whose rear edge is hinged to the body, and a front section whose rear edge is hinged to the forward part of the rear section, members pivotally supported on opposite sides of the body and swingable between generally horizontal positions and raised positions where they serve .to hold the front top section in a generally horizontal elevated position to serve as a shelf when the rear section is raised, and brackets on the sides of the body for supporting the members in their generally horizontal positions.

7. In a cooking range, a body, a top for the body comprising a. rear section whose rear edge is hinged to the body, and a front section whose rear edge is hinged to the forward part of the rear section, members pivotally supported on opposite sides of the body and swingable between generally horizontal positions and raised positions where they serve to hold the front top section in a generally horizontal elevated position to serve as a shelf when the rear section is raised, the front section having openings for receiving end portions of the members, and brackets on the sides of the body for supporting the members in their generally horizontal positions.

8. In a cooking range, a body, a top for the body comprising a rear section whose rear edge is hinged to the body adjacent the rear edge thereof, and a front section whose rear edge is hinged to the forward part of the rear section, and a movable prop member carried by the front section for holding the front section in a generally horizontal elevated position when the rear section is raised.

9. In a cooking range, a body, a top for the body comprising a rear section whose rear edge is hinged to the body adjacent the rear edge thereof, and a front section whose rear edge is hinged to the forward part of the rear section, and means pivoted on the underside of the front section adapted to be swung down to bear on the body to support the front section in a raised, generally horizontal position when the rear section is raised.

10. In a cooking range, a range body, a top for extending across the upper side of the range body and movable between a position where it extends over the upper side of the body and a retracted position, the top comprising hingedly connected front and rear sections, and support means engageable between the body and front section for holding the front section in an elevated substantially horizontal position projecting forwardly from the rear section where it is clear and accessible for use as a shelf when the rear section is in a substantially vertical open position, the support means extending upwardly and rearwardly from the forward portion of the body to the forward portion of the elevated front section.

11. In a cooking range body, a top for extending across the upper side of the body, the top comprising front and rear sections both of which are adapted to assume horizontal positions where P they extend across the upper side of the body when they are in the closed position, means for permanently hinging the rear section to the body so that it may be swung upwardly and rearwardlyto a substantially vertical raised position, means for hingedly connecting the rear edge of the front section with the forward edge of the rear section so that the front section may be swung to a substantially horizontal position spaced directly over the upper side of the body, when the rear section is brought to said raised position, so that the front section projects forwardly from the rear section to form a clear readily accessible shelf directly over the exposed upper side of the range body, and releasable means for supporting the front section in the position where it forms the raised shelf.

LOUIS J. SMALLEN. 

